Westminster Announces First Randy Horiuchi Endowed Political Fellows

May 27, 2016
Two Honors program students to work with state Democratic and Republican Party chairsSALT LAKE CITY - Westminster is pleased to announce students Grayson Massey and Leah Weisgal as the first Randy Horiuchi Endowed Political Fellowship interns. The internships will take place during the fall 2016 semester, working with the Utah Republican and Democratic parties.
Westminster established the Randy Horiuchi Endowed Political Fellowship in 2015 with generous contributions made in the late Horiuchi's honor. As a retirement gift prior to his death, Horiuchi's friends offered the fellowship and asked Horiuchi what school he wanted to benefit. Without hesitation, he chose Westminster, where he co-taught the Honors Presidential Elections class.
"We are thrilled to have this opportunity for our students, especially in honor of Randy Horiuchi, who was such a positive presence in the Utah political scene," said Jon Davis, associate director of Westminster's Career Resource Center. "They will be able to work with party leaders to get a close-up view of local and state politics during the election cycle. We know this will be a great experience for Leah and Grayson, who are both in the Honors program, and they are very much looking forward to their internships this fall."
The Horiuchi fellows will work closely with party chairs on political activities relating to the 2016 elections. Massey, an international business major and political science minor, will work with Republican chair James Evans. Weisgal will work with Peter Corroon, the Democratic chair. She is majoring in public health, with a double minor in political science and outdoor education and leadership. Both students demonstrate a keen interest in expanding their experience in politics and exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills-a requirement for acceptance into the program.
The fellowship will sponsor two student interns every other year (each general election year) beginning this year, honoring Horiuchi's public service to Salt Lake County and Utah. He worked on numerous campaigns through the years, served as chair of the Utah State Democratic Party and was elected to two terms as a Salt Lake Commissioner. When the form of county government was changed in 2000, Horiuchi was elected to the inaugural Salt Lake County Council, a position in which he served until his retirement from political life in 2014.

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Westminster is a private, independent, and comprehensive college in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students experience the liberal arts blended with professional programs in an atmosphere dedicated to civic engagement. With the goal of enabling its graduates to live vibrant, just, and successful lives, Westminster provides transformational learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students in a truly student-centered environment. Faculty focus on teaching, learning, and developing distinctive, innovative programs, while students thrive on Westminster’s urban Sugar House campus within minutes of the Rocky Mountains.